We did not get a TV until about 5 or 6 years ago. Because of this I can tell a huge difference between my kids who have had television access for most of their lives and my children who spent their earlier formative years doing other things.

The unspoken burden of having children is that you always put yourself into another mother’s shoes. Every hurt or negected child in the world suddenly has a face, your child’s face. It is particularly difficult when something happens in the news to children that are the same ages as your own. The pain you feel for the other mothers is tangible and raw.

I have also thought of Mike McQueardy’s mother and wonder how great her disappointment is in the son she raised.

Our kids are inundated with the message that the acquisition of material possessions equals happiness. Raising them to understand the value of money and understand the importance of saving money are daunting tasks. We try to break it down into some simple tips. Easier said than done, we know.